Determinants of postnatal care service utilization among married women in rural areas in western Ethiopia

Abstract

Background Worldwide studies have shown that three-fourths of the total deaths during the neonatal period occur in the first week of the postnatal period. However, most of these deaths can be prevented with care during pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal care. According to the 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey report, 17% of women in Ethiopia had received postnatal care after childbirth. This study aimed to identify determinants of postnatal care service utilization among married women in rural areas in Western Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 798 women who had given birth in the past 2 years prior to the survey between 2 and 31 January 2015. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Multivariable logistic regression was employed to determine factors affecting utilization of postnatal care. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to assess the strength of the associations. Results The study showed that 188 (23.6%) women utilized postnatal care services during their last pregnancy. Women’s educational level (AOR = 3.29, 95%CI = 1.89–5.73), utilization of antenatal care (AOR = 2.07, 95%CI = 1.28–3.36), awareness on the advantage of postnatal care (AOR = 2.10, 95%CI = 1.41–3.13), and knowledge of at least one danger sign during the postnatal period (AOR = 3.04, 95%CI = 2.07–4.46) showed a significant positive association with the utilization of postnatal care. Conclusion Educating women and creating awareness of maternal health care services during pregnancy increase the utilization of postnatal care services. Health care professionals should provide information on the importance of postnatal care for pregnant women during antenatal care visits.

Sociodemographic and Maternal Determinants of Postnatal Care Utilization: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The study revealed that women with higher educational levels (SHS and above) were more likely to use PNC services than those without formal education. This finding is consistent with the vast literature in Africa ( Akunga et al, 2014 ; Beyene et al, 2022 ; Kanté et al, 2015 ; Sagawa et al, 2021 ; Sakeah et al, 2018 ; Sisay et al, 2019 ). These similarities can be ascribed to the fact that education acts as a stand-in for knowledge, cognitive abilities, and values, encouraging health-seeking behavior by raising awareness of available health services ( Beyene et al, 2022 ).…”

“…This finding is consistent with the vast literature in Africa ( Akunga et al, 2014 ; Beyene et al, 2022 ; Kanté et al, 2015 ; Sagawa et al, 2021 ; Sakeah et al, 2018 ; Sisay et al, 2019 ). These similarities can be ascribed to the fact that education acts as a stand-in for knowledge, cognitive abilities, and values, encouraging health-seeking behavior by raising awareness of available health services ( Beyene et al, 2022 ). Another likely explanation is that education gives women more control over their lives and makes it easier for them to interact with their families and seek MHS.…”

“…In the determinants of PNC, ANC visits (at least four visits) during pregnancy was found to increase the use of PNC significantly. This finding is supported by other studies elsewhere ( Beyene et al, 2022 ; Chaka et al, 2019 ; Sisay et al, 2019 ; Tesfahun et al, 2014 ). The possible explanation for these results is that pregnant women who attended ANC services may have had a higher probability of being exposed to various types of services, counseling, and support about their health and that of the baby.…”

“…This is an improvement over the utilization of 74.1% of PNC of rural women in Ghana ( Appiah, Kannor et al, 2021 ) and slightly higher than the 84.8% reported in Malawi Field ( Sagawa et al, 2021 ) and about 84.0% in Ethiopia ( Angore et al, 2018 ). On the contrary, relatively low utilization of PNC services was reported in western Ethiopia (23.6%) ( Beyene et al, 2022 ), 25.2% in Myanmar ( Mon et al, 2018 ), 22.0% in Nigeria ( Olajubu et al, 2019 ), and about 25.0% in Mali ( Ahinkorah et al, 2021 ). The wide variety of these findings may be attributed to the various research contexts, study periods, and other relevant factors, including access to health facilities, deliberate government interventions, differences in geographical location, and the culture of people.…”

Comparison of inequality in utilization of postnatal care services between Bangladesh and Pakistan: Evidence from the Demographic and Health Survey 2017–2018

“…To achieve SDG target 3.2 (i.e., reducing neonatal deaths to at least 12 per 1,000 live births), both countries need to reduce neonatal deaths significantly [ 3 ]. Previous research reveals that if routine postnatal care (PNC) and curative care after deliveries are available to 90% of newborns and their mothers, 10–27% of newborn deaths can be avoided [ 9 ]. According to studies conducted in South Asian nations, a lack of appropriate, suitable, or prompt PNC increases morbidity and mortality [ 10 , 11 ].…”